Upper Ball Joint/Control Arm
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Upper Ball Joint/Control Arm
Its time for ball joints on my 02 FX4, I have never done these myself but with the help of a friend (mechanic) and his shop with all the tools, it shouldnt be that bad. Question, everything I price shows you have to buy the whole upper control arm. Can you not simply just buy the ball joint or do you have to replace the whole assembly? I even had a shop do an estimate and they priced it as the lower ball joint, and then had to buy the whole upper assembly for the upper joint. This dont seem right too me, but then again its my first time for ball joints. Any info would be appreciated, thanks!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
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From: Minnesota
The arm and the joint are pressed in. You do have to buy it as one piece (control arm and joint). It really makes it easy to change. Try to mark the bolts and nuts before you remove them. That is your adjustment for camber and caster. Get it as close as possible, then get it aligned. I know there is a certain brand you can buy....so in the future you can change just the ball joint and not the control arm. Considering how God awful our roads here in Minnesota are, I feel better changing out the whole thing. The new one should have a grease fitting, and considering how long the OEM's lasted, with a little grease now and then, may never have to do again. Good Luck... let us know what you decide..
Jeff
Jeff
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Thanks guys, yah I knew by replacing the whole piece that it would be greasable which is a plus. My originals have lasted 115K and thats with 35" tires for the past 45k. I think MOOG parts were what I was opting to purchase. Thanks for the tip of marking the bolts etc, Thanks again...
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